The Battle of the Slaveholding Liberators: Great Britain, the United States, and Slavery in the Early Nineteenth Century

Abstract

newly restored French monarch's desire to re-colonize reenslave island. Never shall this execrable enterprise take place, pledged subjects of kingdom of Haiti to their sovereign, Henri Christophe. Their confidence rested on more than their own strength will. There is honour, there is glory among Sovereigns people of Europe, address continued, and GREAT BRITAIN, that Liberator of World, will prevent such an abomination! Such flattery of George III's Britain may have seemed to some a surprise, given its recent warfare against Haitian independence, not to mention its nearby sugar colonies teeming with slaves. Despite such complications, leading Britons gladly accepted this flattery. The London Courier, pre-eminent ministerial print forum, praised fiery independent spirit of address. It also noted that Haitians styled Great Britain the Liberator of World, a title which no Nation can dispute or divide with us-and which no Nation ever deserved so well since creation of world.' At least one nation, however, disputed Britain's claim to title-the United States of America. The Courier's pointed comments reflected Britain's rivalry with United States, only obvious claimant, after France's descent into Napoleonic despotism, for that title at time. Furthermore, place of Haiti in this particular episode highlights importance of slavery in transatlantic contest for distinction. Both Britons Americans claimed to be standard bearers of human liberation in Age of Revolution. As Britons formed their